Pubdate: Thu, 25 Jun 2009
Source: FFWD (CN AB)
Copyright: 2009 FFWD
Contact:  http://www.ffwdweekly.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1194
Author: Lindsey Wallis

SECOND CHANCE FOR METHADONE CLINIC           

Clinic Finds New Location After Being Shunned In Other Spots

Despite fears that Second Chance Recovery, one of Calgary's two
methadone clinics, would be forced to close, it has found a new
location - in a vacated Medicentre in Braeside.

The clinic's current location on 41 Avenue NE is not zoned for a
medical facility, forcing them to move. Dr. Ian Postnikoff, an
addiction psychiatrist at the clinic, expects a not-in-my-backyard
backlash from the Braeside community. The clinic has been searching
for a new location for months but was being shunned by various
communities because residents don't want it in their area.

"People's attitudes tend to be quite negative towards treatment of
patients with addiction," Postnikoff says. "There is this belief these
people are raving mad and out of control, but these are people wanting
help, they don't want to be involved in the illegal drug life."

Sherry Morrison, the owner of Shuckaluck's Public Ale House in
Braecentre, the mall of the new location, doesn't think there will be
an issue with the clinic movies in July 6. "They have to go
somewhere," she says. "If they run them out of every neighbourhood,
where are they going to go?" adding that with a police station down
the street, it is as good a location as any. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr